MILESTONES

Made his NYC stage debut in the Rodgers and Hart musical "I Married an Angel"

:

Appeared in several Broadway shows, including "The Boys From Syracuse" (1938, by Rodgers and Hart), "This Is the Army" (1942, Irving Berlin) and "Sing Out, Sweet Land" (1944)

1946:

Feature debut with a singing role in "Smoky"

1948:

First starring role in the children's feature "So Dear to My Heart"

1954:

Starred on Broadway in a revival of "Showboat"

1955:

Collaborated with Elia Kazan on "East of Eden" (as Sam, the town sheriff) and on the original Broadway stage production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", for which he created his signature role of Big Daddy Pollitt

1956:

TV debut with a guest spot on the Western series "Zane Grey Theater"

1957:

Appeared as a panelist on the game show "High Low Quiz"

1958:

Reprised his role as Big Daddy Pollitt in Richard Brooks' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof"

1958:

Won Supporting Actor Oscar for "The Big Country"

1959:

Hosted the first of many holiday televised specials, "Holiday U.S.A."

1964:

TV series debut as Prater Beasley on "Daniel Boone" (NBC)

1964:

Narrated English-language version of "Mediterranean Holiday"; also performed songs on the soundtrack

1964:

Credited as the host, narrator, voice and song performer for the animated classic, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"

1965:

Portrayed title role of short-lived ABC series "O.K. Crackerby"

1968:

Played Gepitto in "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation of "Pinocchio" (NBC)